Today, I present to you Round 2 which features 8 GIFs! My sincerest apologies if the page loads slowly due to the loading up of the 8 GIFs. Most of them are short, so it shouldn't be that long of a page loading.

Enjoy!

Always seemed like Jones was only throwing, what in Jeet Kune Do is called Single Direct Attacks.

One technique and then stop. Here's a sequence 2 sidekicks and a followup elbow!

Intra-round SloMo of the fingers in the eyes

I think it's unintentional, and due to his huge reach advantage, he keeps his hand on his opponent's head/face to guage the distance, as well as collapse the arm for an elbow to the face.

Throughout the five rounds, Jones would throw elbows, but only single ones.

This was the only time in the fight I recall seeing 3 consecutive elbows!

Awesome Shoulder Bump!Never understood why it's not used more... Taiji/Tai Chi and other MA teaches the shoulder bump. Yes, I said "Tai Chi"!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Jon Jones set some records with his 20th win over Glover Teixeira this past Saturday night, April 26th, at UFC 172 held at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, MD.

Jones earned his 14th UFC light heavyweight victory, surpassing Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans for the most wins in modern 205-pound history.

Jones’ 11-fight UFC winning streak is the longest active streak in the light heavyweight division and the longest in the history of the weight class.

Jones’ 11-fight UFC winning streak is tied with Royce Gracie for the third longest all-time in company history behind Anderson Silva (16) and Georges St-Pierre (12).

Jones’ seven consecutive UFC light heavyweight title defenses are the most in divisional history. His title defense run is the third longest of any champion in company history behind Silva (10) and St-Pierre (nine).

Jones recorded his eighth victory in a UFC championship fight, the fifth most in company history behind St-Pierre (12), Silva (11), Matt Hughes (nine) and Randy Couture (nine).

Jones’ 138 significant strikes landed were the most ever in a UFC light heavyweight title fight. They were also the fourth most ever in a UFC championship bout.

Jones has now landed 824 significant strikes in his UFC tenure, passing Forrest Griffin (796) for the most in light heavyweight history.

Jones has landed a total of 1,036 strikes overall in his UFC career, the third most in light heavyweight history behind Tito Ortiz (1,241) and Griffin (1,096).

Jones avoided all five of his opponent’s takedown attempts, boosting his overall takedown defense rate to 96.6 percent (28 of 29), the best defense percentage of any fighter in UFC history (minimum of 20 opponent takedown attempts).

Jones attempted two submissions, giving him a total of 10 submission attempts in UFC career. That’s the most of any active fighter in the light heavyweight division.

Without further ado, below are my animated GIFs from Round 1 with some commentary. More GIFs coming tomorrow from this fight.

"That's a move I've been doing since I was a little boy in wrestling," said Jones. "It was something you could never do to your wrestling partners and it's dirty in wrestling. But it's always there when someone has the underhook and you have an overhook and you can just crank their arm."

"I felt his elbow pop two times. Consecutive 'pop pop.' I was just like, 'Aw, nice.'"

John Hackelman, Glover Teixeira's Coach, had this to say in an extended interview:

"Jon Jones hurt Glover's shoulder in the tie up on the clinch against the cage, tweaked his shoulder and he hurt it. So Glover couldn't use his right hand very well. You see me in the corner trying to get him to throw that right hand harder. He told me, 'Hey, can you get some ice on it?'"

"Sometimes he has shoulder problems, from training too much. He never said he has an actual torn ligament, or torn tendon. So we found that out afterwards. It was obvious, it was actually disfigured and swollen. You could tell there was something seriously wrong with it. He's going to have an MRI Wednesday."

"The fact that he fought with it... besides the massive, gaping cut above his eye. Right above his eye. And the thinks that he has a broken rib too. But it wasn't. Again Jon Jones caused all these injuries."

An example of one of Jeet Kune Do's 5 Ways of Attack:
Progressive Indirect Attack!

Posting another Jet classic for your viewing pleasure! Please check back tomorrow for the start of my Fist of Legend Animated GIF series.

Click for larger pic

Fist of Legend (1994)
(精武英雄) "Jing wu ying xiong"

Fist of Legend is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Gordon Chan, and features action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping, and produced by Jet Li, who also starred in the lead role. It is a remake of the 1972's Fist of Fury, which starred Bruce Lee as the lead character. The film is set in the Shanghai International Settlement in 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War as the city is occupied by Japanese forces.

Trivia

Even though the plots are different, the premise of this movie; about the 5th disciple of Master Huo Yuanjia who returns to China after the master's death to avenge him and uncover the circumstances of his murder, is also the premise for The Chinese Connection (1972), starring Bruce Lee as Chen Zhen.

Jet Li played Chen Zhen in this movie, a student of master Huo Yuanjia. Jet Li will then go on to play Master Huo Yuanjia in Fearless (2006).

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Today is Jet Li's 51st Birthday!! I am posting one of his classics, Fearless, in Jet's honor!!

Enjoy!!

Click for larger pic

Fearless (霍元甲)(2006)

Fearless is a 2006 film directed by Ronny Yu and starring Jet Li. It is loosely based on the real-life hero Huo Yuanjia, a Chinese martial artist who challenged foreign fighters in highly publicised events, restoring pride and nationalism to China at a time when Western imperialism and Japanese manipulation were eroding the country in the final years of the Qing Dynasty before the birth of the Republic of China. Martial arts choreography by Yuen Woo-ping (The Matrix; Kill Bill).

Trivia

Huo Yuan Jia, the founder of the Jin Wu School, was the deceased master that Chen Zhen, also played by Jet Li, seeks to avenge in "Jing wu ying xiong" or "Fist of Legend."

With Fearless, Jet Li has now been filmed as all of the "big three" amongst the historical martial artists in Qing Dynasty (1645-1911) China, whose exploits has been novelized and dramatized many times. They are 1) Fang Shiyu (c.1700s) in the Fong Sai Yuk series, 2) Huo Yuanjia (1868-1910) in Fearless, and 3) Huang Feihong (1847-1924) in the Wong Fei Hung series.

Huo Yianjia is portrayed as having no surviving offspring after the murder of his daughter. In fact, he has been followed by seven grandchildren and, as of 2006, eleven great-grandchildren.

According to http://www.boxofficemojo.com, Fearless is the #7 All-Time Highest Lifetime Grossing Foreign Language with $24,633,730 in 1,810 theaters.

Anthony De Longis has the role of Anthony Garcia, the Spanish fencer.

Anthony De Longis and Jet Li broke at least six swords during their sword fight just for the first take.

Anthony De Longis gave Jet Li a genuine Spanish sword the day after filming was finished.

Brandon Rhea portrays Colonel Han Herzon, the Belgian lancer.

Brandon Rhea insisted that the long stick weapon, known as "mao", be equipped with a proper sharp point, else it'll look strange. He demonstrated his accuracy by having one of the extras hold a stack of newspaper three meters away from him. He did one lunge and thrust the point straight through the middle of the stack. Even Woo-ping Yuen was impressed.

The character played by Brandon Rhea in the film, was based upon a German military attaché who was based in China at the turn of the 20th Century and had a background in German fencing and weapons techniques.

Nathan Jones plays Hercules O'Brien, the American wrestler.

Nathan Jones is so large (he is 6' 10"), and the beds in Chinese hotels so small, he had to fit three beds together.

Nathan Jones took a fall badly during filming and almost lost several teeth. He refused medical attention and kept filming.

During filming when Nathan Jones was to pick up one of the extras and toss him to the floor, Jones got too into the spirit and the extra ended up going to the hospital with cracked ribs.

Nathan Jones, in order to keep his physique, eats six meals a day, gulps down mineral water by the liter, and does 150 push-ups whenever he gets a break.

Tallying up the starting bids, the minimum is $158,500 for all 12 items. Of course, as it's an auction, the sky's the limit!

Without further ado, let's check out the 12 items. Click on any picture to enlarge. My sincerest apologies in advance should the page load slowly due to the volume of pictures.

Bruce Lee Owned & Used Shin Guard Set

Bruce Lee personally owned and used pair of shin guards from training in his proprietary martial arts philosophy, Jeet Kune Do. Shin guards are secured across the calf with two adjustable cloth straps and fasten with velcro. Curved guards measure 11'' in length by 4'' across. Light soiling and denting to edges, else near fine. From among the training equipment Lee gifted to Herb Jackson upon his move to Hong Kong. Jackson is well-documented as a builder of Lee's custom martial arts training equipment, a task he undertook as Lee's first generation Jeet Kune Do student and friend. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $2,500.

Bruce Lee Personally Owned & Used Pull-Up Bar

Bruce
Lee personally owned and used pull up bar from training in his
proprietary martial arts philosophy, Jeet Kune Do. Pull-up bar is a 16''
horizontal bar suspended from a chain with a hook clasp. Light soiling
and rusting to chain, else near fine. From among the training equipment
Lee gifted to Herb Jackson upon his move to Hong Kong. Jackson is
well-documented as a builder of Lee's custom martial arts training
equipment, a task he undertook as Lee's first generation Jeet Kune Do
student and friend. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $5,000.

Bruce Lee Owned & Used Palm Bean Bag

Bruce
Lee personally owned and used palm bean bag from training in his
proprietary martial arts philosophy, Jeet Kune Do. Heavy palm bean bag
is constructed of dark red cloth cut in a roughly octagonal shape.
Measures 9'' x 9'' x 1.5''. Weighs 15 pounds. Light soiling and fading
to the fabric on one side, else near fine. From among the training
equipment Lee gifted to Herb Jackson upon his move to Hong Kong. Jackson
is well-documented as a builder of Lee's custom martial arts training
equipment, a task he undertook as Lee's first generation Jeet Kune Do
student and friend. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $5,000.

Bruce Lee Shin Protector -- Used by Lee in His Jeet Kune Do Training

Bruce
Lee personally owned and used shin guard from the training in his
proprietary martial arts philosophy, Jeet Kune Do. Shin guard by
MacGregor brand is solidly constructed of padded white leather and
fastens across the calf with two adjustable cloth straps. Outer portion
features a shell of heavy plastic in three separate pieces to protect
the shin and knee. Shin guard measures 21'' in length by 9'' across at
its widest point. Light soiling, else near fine. From among the training
equipment Lee gifted to Herb Jackson upon his move to Hong Kong.
Jackson is well-documented as a builder of Lee's custom martial arts
training equipment, a task he undertook as Lee's first generation Jeet
Kune Do student and friend. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $6,000.

Bruce Lee's Shield For Jeet Kune Do Training

Bruce
Lee's striking shield used in teaching his proprietary martial arts
method, Jeet Kune Do. Convex-shaped padded shield by BilTuff Martial
Arts Supplies features a bright orange cover made of durable fabric,
with a total of three handles on the back, including a nylon handle with
a grip made of black tubing for comfort. Measures 9.25'' across, 18''
tall and 2.75'' thick. Light soiling from use, else near fine.
Quintessential Lee, from the collection of Herb Jackson, whose
well-documented friendship with Lee began while he trained in Jeet Kune
Do at Lee's Los Angeles martial arts academy in Chinatown. Lee,
impressed with Jackson's background in street fighting, in time
befriended his student and invited him to train at his home. Just before
his fateful move to Hong Kong, Lee gifted many pieces of his martial
arts equipment to Jackson. With a COA from Herb Jackson's son.

Bruce
Lee's own waist belt, worn during workouts. Lee experimented with the
fitness trend that postulated wearing a belt such as this during cardio
exercise boosted fat loss. Thick black elastic belt is stitched in red
along a single vertical seam. Measures 9.5'' tall and 13.5'' when laid
flat. Light dust and must, else near fine. From the collection of Herb
Jackson, whose well-documented friendship with Lee began while he
trained in Jeet Kune Do at Lee's Los Angeles martial arts academy in
Chinatown. Impressed with Jackson's background in street fighting, in
time Lee befriended his student and invited him to train at his home.
Just before his fateful move to Hong Kong, Lee gifted many pieces of his
martial arts equipment to Jackson. With a COA from Herb Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $8,000.

Bruce Lee Owned & Used Kicking Shield

Bruce Lee's kicking shield used in teaching his proprietary martial arts method, Jeet Kune Do. Large, slightly convex padded shield by BilTuff Martial Arts Supplies features a bright blue cover made of durable fabric. Measures 17'' x 16'' x 5''. Fabric handle is torn, else near fine. Quintessential Lee, from the collection of Herb Jackson, whose well-documented friendship with Lee began while he trained in Jeet Kune Do at Lee's Los Angeles martial arts academy in Chinatown. Lee, impressed with Jackson's background in street fighting, in time befriended his student and invited him to train at his home. Just before his fateful move to Hong Kong, Lee gifted many pieces of his martial arts equipment to Jackson. With a COA from Herb Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $8,000.

Bruce Lee Personally Owned & Used Striking Bag Holder

Bruce Lee personally owned and used double end striking bag holder from training in his proprietary martial arts philosophy, Jeet Kune Do. Holder by Biltuff brand is constructed of dense tangerine color foam, with brand name on a sticker affixed to the side. Cylindrical holder has built-in 15'' bungee cords with hooks for suspension at either end. Measures 4'' x 9.75''. Soiling to one side, else near fine. From among the training equipment Lee gifted to Herb Jackson upon his move to Hong Kong. Jackson is well-documented as a builder of Lee's custom martial arts training equipment, a task he undertook as Lee's first generation Jeet Kune Do student and friend. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $8,000.

Bruce Lee Personally Owned & Worn Watch From The 1970's

Bruce Lee's own vintage 1970's wristwatch. Timex brand timepiece is secured to a heavy leather band with hardware decoration. Brown leather band features four metal rings and six metal studs. Numerical watch face measures 1.25'' across and 1.5'' from top to bottom. Band measures 2.5'' across and 6.75'' in length. Significant rusting to metal and wear to leather from moisture, else good. From the collection of Herb Jackson, Lee's friend, first generation Jeet Kune Do protege and builder of custom martial arts training equipment, to whom Lee gifted the watch. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $20,000.

Bruce Lee's Personally Owned & Worn Platform Shoes

Bruce Lee personally owned and worn shoes. Pair of burnt orange color leather lace-up shoes feature a 0.5'' platform under the front of the foot and a 2'' rubber heel. Shoes are an approximate men's size 7.5. Scuffing, light soiling and laces need replacement, else near fine. Lee's widow distributed his shoes between the two men closest to Lee who were most similar in shoe size - his brother and his close friend Herb Jackson, well-documented as a first generation Jeet Kune Do student and maker of Lee's custom martial arts training equipment. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Starting bid = $25,000.

Bruce Lee Personally Owned & Worn Mahogany Leather Loafers

Bruce Lee owned and worn pair of loafers in mahogany leather. Shoes feature fringe and a piece of decorative hardware across the top. Approximate men's size 7. Some buckling to leather across the toe and leather loss to left shoe, else good. Lee's widow distributed his shoes between the two men closest to Lee who were most similar in shoe size - his brother and his close friend Herb Jackson, well-documented as a first generation Jeet Kune Do student and maker of Lee's custom martial arts training equipment. With a COA from Jackson's son.

Bruce Lee personally owned and worn grey cotton jacket, signed and inscribed by his wife and daughter, from the Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills 7 August 1993 auction of his personal estate. ''Stirling Cooper London'' brand jacket has a nice shearling lining to interior. With two zippered pockets to front. Measures 17'' shoulder to shoulder x 23'' in length. Inscribed in black marker twice to bottom hem of inside of jacket. First, by Shannon Lee, ''To Dennis & Loan -- Best to you both! / Shannon Lee''. And by wife Linda, ''Dennis + Loan, This was one of Bruce's most favorite jackets! / Linda Lee''. Some fading to collar and minor discoloration to left side of coat near the zipper, and near right shoulder, else very good to near fine condition. With a COA From The Bruce Lee Collection signed by Linda Lee. Procured from the Estate Auction of the Martial Arts Legend which took place on 7 August 1993. Reads in full: "This document certifies that the above item purchased through Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills was owned by Bruce Lee during his lifetime. I, Linda Lee, verify its authenticity and state that this item was actually used by Bruce Lee and is a genuine article from his personal collection. From 1964 to 1973 I was Bruce Lee's wife and have had the item solely in my possession for the last twenty years."

Starting bid = $40,000.

After checking out the 12 items, will you be bidding on any?

Should you want to place a bid on any item, please check out Lots #120 - #132:

Site Under Construction

Slowly but surely I've implemented changes to the site's look and functionality. I'm sure you have noticed the changes.Ecstatic that I've finally been able to successfully update my site closer more in line with my vision of it.

Not sure if it will be the final look of the site or not, but the Sojourn of Septillion Steps with respect to the site's look has already taken quite a few steps beyond the first!

I will still be endeavoring to put up information I think will benefit your martial arts training as well as your self-defense. I sincerely thank you for visiting/reading!